27/06/2022

Significant efforts are being invested in the transformation of our agrifood systems to become more efficient, inclusive and resilient as means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition and poverty in all its manifestations by 2030. Towards this end, farmers must have access to, and use, quality seeds and planting materials of improved crop varieties which, by being productive, nutritious, input use-efficient and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, satisfy end-user needs and preferences.

The decisions that lead to the selection of new improved crop varieties are based on inferences drawn from the analyses of data on their performances – and those of other materials, typically over several seasons, years and locations. This implies that faulty analyses compromise the value of expensive plant breeding programmes. With advancements in computing technologies, significant amounts of data can be stored and analysed at speeds that were unthinkable just a couple of decades ago. The digitalization of data collection and the computerization of plant breeding pipelines have therefore significantly improved the efficiency of crop varietal development.

This webinar aims to demonstrate the impact of digitalized data management in national programmes and private companies in delivering improved crop varieties to farmers.

Register here or follow the live transmission of the event at FAO webcast.